Finding Medicaid Help at the Laundromat
At a SuperSuds Laundromat just south of Washington, D.C., a steady stream of customers loaded clothes into washers and dryers on a recent Sunday morning, passing the time on their phones or watching television. Amid the low hum of spinning clothes, Adrienne Jones made the rounds in a bright yellow sweatshirt, asking customers about their health needs.
A New Approach to Outreach
State Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage programs have long struggled to connect with lower-income Americans to help them access health care. They send letters and emails, place phone calls, and post on social media platforms such as Facebook and X. Some of these state programs are trying an alternative approach: meeting people at the laundromat – where they regularly go and usually have time to chat.
Fabric Health’s Innovative Approach
Fabric Health, a Washington, D.C.-based startup, sends outreach workers into laundromats in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and – as of January – the District of Columbia, to help people get and use health coverage, including by helping schedule checkups or maternity care. The workers, many of whom are bilingual, visit the laundromats also to establish relationships, build trust, and connect people with government assistance.
A Service That Pays Off
Medicaid health plans, including those run by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in Maryland, UPMC in Pittsburgh, and Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, pay Fabric Health to connect with their enrollees. The company was paid by the Maryland Managed Care Organization Association, the state’s Medicaid health plan trade group, to help people recertify their Medicaid eligibility after covid pandemic-era coverage protections expired.
A Successful Model
Since 2023, the company has connected with more than 20,000 people in Maryland and Pennsylvania alone, collecting contact information and data on their health and social needs, said Allister Chang, a co-founder and the chief operating officer. Chang also serves on the D.C. State Board of Education as Ward 2’s elected representative.
A Human Touch Makes a Difference
For people like Patti Hayes, 59, of Hyattsville, Maryland, who is enrolled in the Medicaid health plan operated by CareFirst but had not seen a primary care physician in over a year, the laundromat chats can be a lifeline. After Jones helped her find a new doctor and schedule an appointment, she said, "This is helpful because it’s more of a personal touch."
A Future of Direct Outreach
As the company continues to expand its services, it may be a model for other states to follow. "Our pitch is: People spend two hours a week waiting around in laundromats and that idle time can be incredibly productive," said Courtney Bragg, a co-founder and the CEO of Fabric Health.
Conclusion
By meeting people at the laundromat, Fabric Health is making a difference in the lives of low-income Americans, helping them access health care and connect with vital resources. As the company continues to grow, it may be a model for other states to follow, demonstrating the importance of human interaction in connecting people with vital health care services.
FAQs
- What is Fabric Health?
Fabric Health is a Washington, D.C.-based startup that sends outreach workers into laundromats to help people get and use health coverage, including by helping schedule checkups or maternity care. - How does Fabric Health make money?
Fabric Health is structured as a public benefit corporation, meaning it is a for-profit business created to provide a social benefit and is not required to prioritize seeking profits for shareholders. - How many people has Fabric Health helped?
Since 2023, the company has connected with more than 20,000 people in Maryland and Pennsylvania alone, collecting contact information and data on their health and social needs.
